Sichuan DKT Energy Technology Co., Ltd.( A subsidiary of Hydrexia (China))

　　The Fourth World Solar City Conference, co-hosted by the Shandong Provincial Government, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Energy Administration, the World Solar Cities Association, and other organizations, was grandly held in Dezhou City, Shandong Province, from September 16 to 18. With the theme “Solar Energy Changes Lives,” the conference is of great significance in strengthening international exchanges and cooperation in the solar energy sector and in advancing China’s energy structure adjustment, energy conservation and emissions reduction, and response to climate change.

　　Wan Gang, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Minister of Science and Technology, delivered a speech on behalf of the Chinese government at the opening ceremony and made an important address. Minister Wan pointed out that vigorously developing new-energy industries, including solar energy, and pursuing a path of green, low-carbon, environmentally friendly, and ecologically sustainable development has become a broad consensus among countries worldwide. The fact that Dezhou in Shandong Province has been honored as the host city of the Fourth World Solar City Conference not only demonstrates international recognition of China’s solar-energy technology and industry, but also opens up new opportunities for the global expansion of China’s solar-energy sector.

　　Minister Wan emphasized that, as the world’s largest energy producer and second-largest energy consumer, China faces enormous pressure to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction and to address climate change. We will adhere to an energy development strategy that prioritizes conservation, relies on domestic resources, pursues diversified development, leverages scientific and technological innovation, protects the environment, and strengthens mutually beneficial international cooperation. We will strive to build a stable, economical, clean, and secure energy supply system, thereby using sustainable energy development to underpin the comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable development of the economy and society.

　　Minister Wan pointed out that in recent years, China has engaged in numerous energy cooperation initiatives with countries around the world and with a range of international organizations. For example, China and the United States have jointly committed US$150 million to establish the China–U.S. Joint Research Center for Clean Energy, thereby promoting collaborative research in such areas as building energy efficiency, clean coal, and new-energy vehicles; China and the European Union have established a mechanism for an Energy Cooperation Conference, launched the China–EU Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change and related cooperation mechanisms, and initiated the China–EU Clean Energy Center project; and China has undertaken extensive scientific and technological cooperation with the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and South Korea in fields such as new energy, electric vehicles, and smart grids. In addition, China has issued the “International Science and Technology Cooperation Plan for Renewable and New Energy,” which has created favorable conditions for international science and technology cooperation in the energy sector.

　　Minister Wan emphasized that, going forward, China will engage in broader international cooperation in strategic emerging industries such as new energy, energy conservation and environmental protection, and new-energy vehicles, fully leveraging both domestic and international scientific and technological strengths to promote the rapid and healthy development of China’s new-energy sector. Over the next few years, China will focus on the following priorities in the field of energy technology: first, vigorously developing energy-saving technologies and improving energy efficiency; second, strengthening the research, development, and application of clean-coal and coal-based gasification technologies; third, accelerating the development of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass energy, breaking through key technological bottlenecks, and facilitating the adjustment of the energy structure; fourth, speeding up the research, development, and demonstration of smart-grid technologies to accommodate large-scale integration of renewable energy and distributed power sources while ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the power grid; fifth, expediting the development of nuclear energy to provide a safe, reliable, and low-carbon energy supply for the future; and sixth, continuing to intensify research and development on, as well as demonstration and promotion of, industrialization technologies for low-carbon energy applications—including new-energy vehicles, energy-efficient buildings, clean production, and ecological restoration—and advancing the formulation of implementation standards and demonstration projects for carbon-tax policies.

　　Minister Wan concluded by stating that green development and sustainable development have become the overarching trend in global development today. We stand ready to further expand cooperation and exchanges in the energy sector with countries around the world and with international organizations such as the World Solar Cities Association, so as to make even greater contributions to the sustainable development of the global economy, society, and environment. Let us join hands and, under the radiant light of the sun, jointly usher in a brighter future!

　　The World Solar Cities Conference is an international forum initiated by the World Solar Cities Association, with the mission of enhancing energy efficiency and policy frameworks and fostering the development of renewable-energy-powered cities through active cooperation and exchange among solar cities worldwide. Held every two years, the first three editions were hosted in Daegu, South Korea; Oxford, United Kingdom; and Adelaide, Australia, respectively. This year’s conference brought together nearly 3,000 participants from more than 50 countries and regions, including China, the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia, among others, with over 600 of them being international guests. Hua Jianmin, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, along with leaders from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, the National Energy Administration, and other relevant departments, also attended the event. In addition, leaders from the Department of Planning and the Department of High-Tech Industries under the Ministry of Science and Technology accompanied Minister Wan Gang throughout the conference.